Machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes



March 6, 1956 w. J. DENVER 2,737,155

MACHINE FOR HANDLING MACHINE SHORTHAND PANEL NOTES Filed Sept. 29, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

March 6, 1956 'w. J. DENVER MACHINE FOR HANDLING MACHINE SNORTHAND PANEL NOTES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 29, 1953 3% gram United States pamfit O MACHINE FGR HANDLING MACHINE SHORTHAND PANEL NOTES William J. Denver, Joliet, Ill. Application September 29, 1953, Serial No. 382,912

11 Claims. (Cl. 120-31) The present invention relates to machines for use in transcribing the panel type shorthand notes produced by shorthand machines and, particularly, to an electrically Operated machine for holding, moving and displaying in a visible position such notes, whereby the reporter or secretary may readily transcribe the same.

Shorthand machines are well known in the art and are in extensive popular use by court reporters and secretaries. Such machines use a particular paper comprising a long narrow strip that is folded in an accordion pleat to produce a plurality of panels disposed on top of one another in a conveniently handled package ori bundle; In use, a package or bundle of panels is placed in the starting tray of the machine and the leading edge thereof is threaded through the machine and into the delivery tray. As the machine is used, the panels are automatically passed in a continuous manner frornthe starting tray through the machine and into the delivery tray, at which point the same are automatically restacked in their original form due to the accordion pleat folding thereof.

When transcribing the machine inscribed panel notes, the reporter or secretary cannot conveniently handle the notes manually in a loose condition because the folding thereof renders it difficult to turn the panels, vibration consequent upon typing causes the notes to become unstacked and if the notes are struck in such manner to knock a few of the panels off the edge of the desk, a continuous cascade of the notes to the floor will occur, all of which obviously result in complete disorder and loss of place and time.

While various endeavors have been made to provide means for holding and moving the notes during transscribing, I am aware of no product that has successfully met all or" the requirements of the art and that' has at the same time been of such economy as to be commercially feasible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes during transcribing, which machine aifords an optimum viewing position, firm holding of the notes, automatic unfolding and refolding of the notes in their proper condition, and automatic movement of the notes, under the control of the operator, all in an economical and practical manner.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for handling machine shorthand notes characterized by an elongate vertical column for holding part of the panels,- preferably two panels, in a vertical, readily viewable position, the column, at its upper end, being equipped with a paper drive mechanism or means for moving the paper from a starting tray to a finished tray, as in the shorthand machine, which trays are hinged to opposite sides of the column at the lower end thereof, suitable motivating means for the paper drive mechanism being disposed within the column. Preferably, the motivating means includes an electric motor controllable by suitable switches to start and stop move- 2,137,156 Fatented Mar. 6, 1956 ice ment of the notes andto move the notes forward or backward as i l 'sq rs hr h ops' a ar- Other objects and advantages of theinvention, particulrly those relating to the structural details and economy of the machine, will become apparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. V H Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of making and using the machine of my invention, I shall describe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of my inven tioll;

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts: I l l p Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the machine of the present invention set up for use}; typewriter being shown in dotted lines in the view to indicate the positioning of the machine; 7 v V Figure 2 is a composite view of one embodiment of the machine of the invention, the view showing themachine proper in side elevation with a removable portion of the vertical column removed to reveal the drive means disposed therein, and showing the switch means in plan view; 7 V

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a second, battery operated, embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a partial plan view, onan enlarged scale, of the machine proper, a portion of the've'r'tical column being broken away to reveal the construction of the column; v V

Figure 5 is a partial vertical section Ormsven cn column taken substantially oniin'e 551 of Figure l;

Figure 6 a; side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the machine, the view being taken from the side of the machine opposite that shown in Figures 2 and 3; and V l p v z 7 Figure 7 is a partial rear elevation of the machine Propel .i

7 Referring new s the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, the machine of the present invention is shown as comprising, generally, the machine proper 1 0, a forward-reverse switch 12 and a start-stop switch 14, flhe machine 10 is adapted to be disposed on the desk of the reporter or secretary using the same to either side or the typewriter (shown dotted lines). The switches 12 and 14 are preferably connected to the machine 10; electrically and mechanically, by electric power transmission'co'rds'16 and ,18 so that the switches may be disposed remotely. of the machine. In the embodiment shown, an electric power transmission cord 20 for connection to a suitable electric outletpr power source is also provided. If desired, the switches Hand 14 may be incorporated directly on the machine,- but, a remote disposition of the same is preferred to avoid possible disturbing of the machine location as a result of actuating switches disposed thereon. The forward reverse switch 12 is preferably disposed within a suitable switch box 22 adapted to be disposed adjacent the typewriter, for example to theside of ,the typewriter opposite the machine 1i), and theswitch box is preferably held in such position bythe typewriter itself in a manner to be de'-' scribed, whereby theswitch 12 may be conveniently actuated by handby the machine user. If desired; the start-stop switch 14 may also be disposed inthe switch box 22- for hand actuation, as will be described hereinafter, but in the embodiment shown is disposed in separate switch box means 24 disposed remotely of the switch box 22; In particular, the switch box 24 isadapted to be rested on the floor, and to beheld-in position by the desk in a.v manner to be described,- wher'eby the start-stop switch 14 is disposed for, foot actuation.

The machine proper comprises a hollow central vertical column 26 and a pair of panel note trays 28 and hingedly connected to opposite sides of the column 26 at the lower end thereof. Since the machine of the invention afiords reversible operation, either of the trays may constitute the starting tray or the finished tray. For purposes of convenience of description, however, I will refer herein to the tray 28 as being the starting tray and the tray 30 as the finished tray since that is the relation shown in Figure 1. At the upper end thereof, the column 26 carries a paper or panel note holding and moving means, indicated generally at 32, to be described in detail hereinafter. The means 32 is adapted to be driven by suitable drive means disposed within the hollow column 26, which latter means includes a reversible electric motor controllable by the switches 12 and 14.

In use, the customary accordion pleated panel notes used in shorthand machines are disposed in the starting tray 28 and the leading end of the notes is passed upwardly into association with the holding and moving means 32, as shown in Figure 1. I have found in practice that the most advantageous disposition of the notes to be transcribed is in a vertical position, at substantially the eye level of the reporter or secretary, with approximately two panels being exposed to view. To this end, I provide a vertical column 26 that is preferably of a height equal approximately to two panels of notes, as is shown in Figure 1. In a specific embodiment, I employ a vertical column 26 that is 16 x 3 x 3 inches, the individual panels of the notes measuring approximately 8 /2 x 2 /2 inches. With the machine set up as shown and connected to a suitable electric power source, the operator sets the machine in operation by disposing the switch 12 in forward position and actuating the switch 14 to start position. The electric motor then drives the moving means 32 to advance the notes into the finished tray 36, in which tray the notes are automatically folded into their original condition. When the reporter or secretary has operated the motor sufiiciently to move the notes to such position that the starting point of transcription is disposed adjacent the top of the column, the switch 14 is actuated to stop position to effect cessation of note movement. The reporter or secretary then transcribes the two panels exposed to view, after which the switch 14 is again actuated to expose the subsequent two panels to view in a vertical position. This operation is continued until all of the notes have been transcribed and delivered into the finished tray 30. Should the reporter or secretary at any time during transcription desire to check back on previously transcribed material, or to check a symbol employed, or the like, the point in the notes to which the reporter has transcribed may be marked by pencil line or notation (which is readily accomplished since the column 26 disposes the notes in proper position and affords support therefor), after which the switch 12 may be actuated to reverse position and the switch 14 to start position to move the notes from the finished tray 30 to the starting tray 28. When the check desired has been effected, the operator need only return the switch 12 to the forward position to return the notes to the place previously marked, whereupon transcribing may be continued.

Having thus described the general or basic assembly and operating characteristics of the machine of my invention, reference is now made particularly to Figures 4 to 7 for a more detailed description of a preferred structural embodiment of the invention and other features and advantages of the invention. The central vertical column 26 preferably comprises a hollow rectangular box-like member formed of a rigid yet light weight material, preferably metal, such as aluminum. A first sheet of such material may be formed in conventional sheet metal working operations to provide three contiguous sides or walls 36, 38 and 40 of the column 26, and the top wall 42 thereof. The front and rear walls 36 and 4%, respectively, of the column extend laterally beyond the side edge of the top wall 42 and at that point terminate in inwardly directed flanges 44 which parallel the side wall 38 of the column. The flanges 44 provide a mounting means for the association with the three described walls of a separately formed and removable side wall 46 of the column. The opposite edges of the side wall 46 are provided with reentrantly bent or curved portions 43 defining channels for the reception of the flanges 44, whereby the wall 46 may be slidably associated with and disassociated from the remainder of the column. Due to the described disposition of the flanges 4d, the removable side wall 46, when associated with the flanges, is disposed laterally outwardly of the top wall 42 of the column for a purpose to be described.

The open lower end of the column 26 is preferably closed by a wooden base block 50 which is suitably secured, by screws, or nails, or the like, to the integral contiguous walls 26, 38 and 40 of the column. Preferably, a sheet of resilient material 52, such as rubber or the like, is secured in a conventional manner to the lower surface of the block 50 to constitute a cushion protecting desks and other surfaces, upon which the machine may be placed, from damage by the machine. At the lower edges thereof, the front and rear walls 36 and 49 of the column are each formed to present an integral hinge eye 54 by means of which the note trays 28 and 31) may be hingedly connected to the column. The note trays are of U-shape in cross section and of a size conformably to receive a stack or bundle of panel notes, and are preferably formed of the same material as the walls of the column 26. At the inner edge of the base wall thereof, each of the trays 28 and 39 is provided with spaced integral hinge eyes 55 adapted for the reception therebetween of the hinge eye 54 on the respective wall of the column 26, the hinged connections being accomplished by suitable pintle pins 58. The advantage of pivotally connecting the trays 28 and 30 to the column 26 is that the trays may be folded upwardly to encompass the column, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6 and at the left in Figure 4, whereupon the machine of the invention comprises a compact package for transportation from place to place. To accommodate such folding of the trays, the trays are formed of a width greater than the column 26. To retain the trays in open position for use, suitable latches fit! may be pivotally mounted on the front and rear walls of the column 26 for swinging movement into and out of the space between a vertical Wall of the respective tray and the adjacent front or rear wall of the column, as is shown in Figures 6 and 7. In use, the latches also prevent accidental overturning of the column 26, since the column is then braced by the two trays 28 and 30.

The panel note trays 28 and 30, like the column 26, are each provided with a cushion 62 on the lower surface thereof to prevent scratching of surfaces upon which the machine is rested. In addition, each of the trays is provided on the inner side of the base wall thereof with a friction member 64, preferably a resilient cushion similar to the cushions 62, which is engageable by the panel notes to retain the notes in place in the trays and to assure proper folding and unfolding of the notes.

The paper holding and moving means 32 is shown in Figure 5 as comprising a pair of rollers 66 and 68 between which the panel notes are adapted to be passed. Each roller preferably comprises a shaft 74), a bushing 72, and a resilient or friction material sleeve 74 disposed about the bushing, the shaft and bushing suitably being formed of brass or a similar material. The shafts of the two rollers are journaled for rotation in vertically spacer. allel relation in a pair of spaced parallel brackets 76 which are secured to the top wall 42 of the column 26. The brackets are preferably of angle shape in cross section and are secured at one leg thereof to the wall 42 by means of bolts 78 or the like, whereby the other legs thereof constitute upstanding brackets extending in spaced parallel relation to one another. The parallel legs of the bracket 76 are disposed on the column 26 parallel to the note trays 28 and 30, whereby the rollers 66 and 68 parallel the width of the note trays to receive panel notes therefrom. The shaft 70 of the lower one '66 of the two rollers is journaled in horizontally aligned bores provided in the brackets 76 whereby the same is retaine against movement oth'e'rtha'n rotational. The shaft 70 of the upper roller 68 is located in aligned vertical slots 80 p'royided in the brackets 76 above the shaft of the lower r'oll'e'r, whereby the upperr'oller may be moved toward and away from the lower roller. Inaddition, one of the slots 80 extends to and opens throu h the u per edge of the respective bracket, preferably the one adjacent the stationary side wall 38 of the column 26, whereby the upper roller 68 may be removed from the brackets 76 whenever desired. To prevent inadvertent removal of the roller, particularly during transportation, a keeper 82, of generally U-shape in cross section, is pivoted to the bracket 76 having the open slot therein, with the keeper straddling the bracket, to close the slot 80, as is shown in solid lines in Figure 6. When it is desired to remove the upper roller, the keeper is readily moved to open the slot, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, so that the roller may be removed from the bracket by moving the roller upwardly to dispose one end of the shaft thereof exteriorly of the associated bracket, whereupon the other end of the shaft may be Withdrawn from the slot in the other bracket, thus to expose the upper surface of the lower roller, and to accommodate insertion of notes between the rollers and removal of notes from between the rollers. y

In use, the lower roller 66 is adapted to be rotated by suitable means, to be described, to move panel notes dis posed between the rollers 66 and 68. To insure driving engagement of the roller 66 with the paper, the'upper roller 68 is continuously biased into engagement with the lower roller. Suitable means of a conventional nature may be employed to bias the upper roller inthe manner stated, but I prefer to utilize the weight of the roller 68 itself for this purpose. Inparticular, the shaft 70 and bushing 72 of the roller afford adequate weight for the purpose stated. The friction sleeves 74 provided on the rollers insure continuous and non-slipping driving engagemerit between the rollers 665 and 68 and the panel note P P The drive means for the lower roller 66 of the paper moving means 32 is preferably disposed within the hollow column 26 to avoid bulkiness, to insure neatness, and to accommodate ready transportation of the machine. The drive means preferably includes a reversible electric motor 84 and a gear reduction unit 86 associated with the output shaft of the motor and itself having an output shaft 88. Preferably, the motor 84 and the reducer 86 are mounted as a unit or; a su porting bracket 90 disposed within the housing. The bracket 90 preferably comprises a U-shaped strap having the legs thereof secured to the front and rear walls 36 and 40 of the column 26, suitably by bolts 92. To accommodate vertical adjustment of the motor and gear reducer, the legs of the bracket 90 are slotted vertically, as at 94, for the passage of the bolts, whereby the bracket is vertically slidable with respect to the column and may be secured in adjusted position by the bolts.

To establish a positive drive between the motor 84 and the driven roller 66, a pair of sprockets 96 are secured, respectively, to the output shaft 88 of the reducer 86 and to the shaft 70 of the roller 66, and a chain 93 is rea'ved over the two sprockets. If desired, other types of drives may be employed, but I prefer the positive chain and sprocket drive as shown. In such assembly, the motor 84 and reducer 86 are vertically adjustable to insure proper tensioning of the chain and to accommodate variations in sprocket size.

As will be appreciated from Figure 5, the roller supporting bracket 76 adjacent the removable wall '46 of the column 25, Being mounted on the top wan 42 at the eat:

umn, is spaced inwardly from the removable wall 16, whereby the chain and sprockets are disposed within the interior of the column. To shield the chain and sprockets and to prevent entanglement of foreign objects in the chain, the removable wall or side 46of the column preferablyincludes an upper portion conforming substantially to the brackets 76 and including a lateral wall portion to close the opening between the adjacent bracket 76 and the wall 46. If desired, the wall portion 100 may be either continuous or interrupted as desired. In addition to closing the opening referred to, the wall portion 100 aflords a convenient hand hold by means of which the wall 46 may be grasped to draw the wall upwardly to remove the same.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, I have shown two embodiments of my invention which are formed as described hereinbefore and which are identical to one another, with the exception of the type of motor employed, the electricalwiring, and the disposition of the start-stop switch. In Figure 2, I have shown one embodi 'rnent of invention (also shown in Figure 1) adapted for cnerg'iz'atiori from the common volt A. C. outlets found in substantially all buildings, which embodiment of the iiivehtion is particularly adapted for ofiice work. In such embodiment, the reversible electric motor 84 is preferably 110 volt motor and is connected to the forwardreyerse switch 12 by the electric power transmission cord 16. The switch 12 is preferably a toggle switch and is mounted iri the housing or box 22, which box may carry suitable indicia indicating the forward and reverse posi tions of theswitch. The switch box 22 also is provided with a flat plate 102 extending from one side thereof, which plate is adapted to be disposed under one leg of a typewriter as shown in Figure 1, positively to position and. retain the switch 12 in a con'venient location for hand actuation. Preferably, the lower surface of the box 22 and plate 102 are provided with a cushion, similar to 52 and 62, to prevent scratching of surfaces upon which placed. The switch 12 is connected by the power transmission cord 18 in electrical circuit with the start-stop switch 14, which in turn is adapted to be connected by the cord 2( l to a source of electrical energy. The switch 14 in the officemodel of my machine is preferably located for foot actuation. The housing for the switch thus preferably' comprises a st'andard including a pivotally mounted pedal 10 i disposed at an inclination to the base plate of the standard and engageable with the switch 14, whereby the machine operator may actuate the switch by means of one foot on the pedal when desired. Preferably, the housing 24 for the foot switch includes a flat plate 106, which may comprise aportion of the base plate of the housing, adaptedto be disposed under one leg of the desk or table upon which the machine is rested to retain the switch in a desired position. I The housing 24 and plate 106 are also preferably provided with a cushioning membet on the bottom thereof.

A's to a specific embodiment of the office model of my machine, I have found a desirable electrical combination, electrically connected in a common and well known manner, to comprise a shaded pole 110 volt, 60 cycle motor, a single pole double throw forward-reverse switch, and a single pole single throw on-ofl or start-stop switch. If desired,- the two switches 12 and 14 may be replaced by a single three positional switch aifording stop-forwardreverse switching positions. h

In Figure 3, I haye shown a battery operated embodimerit of the machine of my invention which is particularly adapted for use by travelling secretaries and the like, since the same does not require an exterior source of electrical energy; Thus, the same is capable of use on trains and in areas or locations where a' 110 volt source of electricity is not available. In this embodiment of the invention, the reversible electric motor is of a low voltage rating and is adapted to be powered from a suitable dry cell battery 108, the Batter being disposed within the column 26 beneath the motor and gear reducer. The cord 16 will normally retain the battery against undesired movement in the column. However, if desired, a stop member 119 may be provided on one wall of the column to confine the battery adjacent the base block 50 of the column. The drive motor and battery are electrically connected to one another in a conventional manner and are electrically connected to the forward-reverse switch 12 by the power transmission cord 16. The switch 12 is disposed in the housing or box 22, which includes the plate 22 for the purpose described hereinbefore. In this embodiment of the machine, the on-ofi or start-stop switch 14 is also incorporated directly in the box 22 to provide a more compact and readily transported assembly. However, the switch 14 may take the form of a foot actuated switch, as previously described, if desired.

As to a specific embodiment of a portable model of my machine, I have found a one and one-half volt electric motor, such as supplied in childrens construction kits, together with the gear reduction unit provided in such construction kits, entirely adequate for the uses of the machine. In such case, the motor may be powered by a one and one-half volt battery of the type customarily used in portable radios. The switches in such assembly, all being connected in a well known manner, may suitably comprise a double pole double throw forward-reverse switch, and a single pole single throw start-stop switch.

As will be appreciated from Figures 2 and 3, the flanges 44 on the column 26 may be suitably cut away at portions thereof, as indicated at 112, to accommodate entry and removal of the assembly comprising the motor 34, the reducer 86 and the mounting bracket 90, whereby the column 26 need be of no greater size than necessary. Also, in the battery model shown in Figure 3, the flanges 44 may be cut away adjacent the lower end thereof, as at 114, to accommodate ready insertion and removal of batteries. In both structures, the removable wall 46 readily accommodates exposure of the interior of the column for inspection, repair and oiling of the drive means, and to accommodate battery replacement.

In both embodiments of my invention, the motor speed, the gear reduction unit, the chain and sprocket drive, and the paper drive rollers are designed to eifect movement of the panel note paper at a speed accommodating reading back of the notes by the reporter or secretary, whereby a particular portion of the notes may be located rapidly. In use, then, as previously described, the reporter will operate the motor to dispose two desired panel notes on the column, will stop the drive means,

will transcribe the exposed notes, and thereafter will again operate the motor to repeat the described cycle. During transcribing, the operator on occasion Will desire to refer back to previously transcribed material. The reverse action of the machine readily and conveniently accommodates such reference back. However, such reverse operation of the machine is utilized relatively infrequently, particularly by an experienced reporter or secretary. In the office model of the machine then, it is to be appreciated that due to the provision of the foot switch 14, the reporter can transcribe the bulk of the shorthand notes, within the limitations imposed by the typewriter paper, without removing his or her hands from the typewriter keyboard. In the portable model, the switch 14 is readily accessible by one hand of the machine user so that the convenience of transportability of the portable model is not outweighed by a lack of convenience for failure to provide a foot switch.

In case of a power failure, with either embodiment of the machine of my invention, the notes may be readily moved manually either by actuating the upper roller 68 ofthe paper moving means 32 by hand, or removing the roller 68 and directly moving the notes by hand. Regardless of the nature of the note paper drive, the machine of the invention affords the advantages that: the panel notes are retained in their original and desired form he fore, during and after transcribing; the notes are retained against accidental disruption by the note trays and the friction means provided therein; the notes and the operators place in the notes are fixedly retained and held in position by the note holding and moving means; an optimum amount of notes is exposed for transcription in an optimum viewing position; and the notes are automatically moved in a forward or reverse direction as desired by the machine operator. Also, the machine may be readily collapsed, by folding the trays and by wrapping the cords 16, 18 and 20 about the column and the trays, for transportation from place to place, whether the notes be disposed within the machine or not. Further, there is no necessity, according to the present invention, for running either the transcribed or the nontranscribed portion of the notes through the rollers 66 and 68 before the notes can be removed from the machine, since all that is required is to remove the upper roller 68.

While I have described and shown what I regard to be preferred embodiments in my invention, it will be appreciated that various changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow vertical box-like column, note holding and moving means disposed at the top of said column, a drive motor mounted inside of said column and operatively connected to said means, and a pair of note trays disposed to opposite sides of said column at the bottom thereof, said column being stable when rested on its bottom and said trays bracing said column to retain the same vertical to dispose panel notes in a vertically depending viewing position from said means.

2. A machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow box-like vertical column, a pair of rollers journaled at the top of said column for the passage of note panels therebetween, the axes of said rollers being disposed in vertically spaced relation, drive means for at least the lower one of said rollers disposed within said column, the upper roller normally engaging the lower roller to constitute a drive couple, and a pair of trays for note panels pivotally connected to opposite sides of said column at the lower end thereof, the width of said trays paralleling the axes of said rollers and being greater than the width of said column to accommodate folding of said trays onto said column.

3. A machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow vertical box-like column of substantial height, a pair of rollers journaled in parallel relation on top of said column and comprising a panel note drive couple, a reversible electric motor adjustably mounted inside of said column approximately at a midpoint in the height of said column, said motor including an output shaft, a positive gear and chain drive between said output shaft and one of said rollers, said motor being adjustably mounted in said column to accommodate adjustment of the tautness of the chain, and switch means for starting, stopping and reversing the direction of operation of said motor..

4. A machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow box-like vertical column, a pair of spaced parallel upstanding brackets at the top of said column, a pair of rollers disposed between said brackets and each having a shaft journaled in said brackets, the shafts of said rollers being disposed in vertically spaced parallel relation, said brackets having vertical slots therein within which the shaft of the upper one of said rollers is journaled, said upper roller being movable in said slots toward and away from the lower roller and being unconfined except for the mounting of its shaft in said brackets, said upper roller including a heavy core portion and normally resting by its own weight on said lower roller, to constitute a drive couple for panel notes,

said upper roller being movable in said slots with respect to said brackets to accommodate ready detachment of said upper roller from said brackets to accommodate the ready removal of panel notes from the said drive couple, an electric motor adjustably mounted inside said column, a shaft driven by said motor, a sprocket on said motor driven shaft, a sprocket on the shaft of said lower roller, and a chain reaved over said sprockets.

5. A portable machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow vertical box-like column of substantial height, a pair of panel note trays pivotally connected to opposite sides of said column at the bottom thereof, a pair of spaced parallel brackets at the top of said column, said brackets extending parallel to said trays, a pair of rollers disposed between said brackets and each having a shaft journaled in said brackets, the shafts of said rollers being disposed in vertically spaced parallel relation, the upper one of said rollers being mounted for movement toward and away from the lower one of said rollers and normally resting on the lower roller to define a drive couple, a stack of panel notes being receivable in one of said trays with the notes extending through said drive couple to the other tray, said column retaining a plurality of panels in vertical viewable position, a reversible electric motor disposed within said column, drive means extending between said motor and the lower one of said rollers, and switch means electrically associated with said motor disposed to the exterior of said column for controlling operation and the direction of operation of said motor.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said switch means is disposed remotely of said column and includes a start-stop switch and a forward-reverse switch.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein at least said start-stop switch is a foot operated switch.

8. A portable, self-contained machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow vertical box-like column of substantial height, note holding and moving means disposed at the top of said column, an electric motor mounted inside of said column approximately at a midpoint in the height of said column, said motor being operatively connected to said means, a battery positioned inside of said column beneath said motor, and switch means controlling energization of said motor from said battery, said motor and said battery stabilizing said column to retain the same vertical for the vertical disposition of panel notes.

9. A portable machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow vertical box-like column, note holding and moving means disposed at the top of said column, an electric motor mounted inside of said column and operatively connected to said means, and switch means electrically connected to said motor for controlling operation thereof, said switch means including a portable switch housing physically connected to said column by an electric transmission cord, said housing having a base including portions projecting beyond the housing proper to be inserted under a heavy object employed in conjunction with use of said machine to retain said switch in a set position.

10. A machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow vertical box-like member of substantial height, a pair of generally vertically opposed rollers disposed at the top of said member, an electric drive motor mounted within the interior of said member and operatively connected to the lower one of said rollers, bracket means at the top of said member supporting the upper one of said rollers for movement toward and away from said lower roller, said upper roller normally engaging said lower roller to define a drive couple therebetween adapted for reception of panel notes, a pair of note receiving means at the lower end of said member to opposite sides of said rollers, said member being adapted to display panel notes in an upright viewing position between one of said means and said rollers, and means for controlling operation of said motor to move successive panels of a stack of panel notes from said one note receiving means into an upright viewing position, through said rollers and downwardly into the other of said note receiving means.

11. A portable machine for handling machine shorthand panel notes comprising a hollow vertical box-like member of substantial height, a pair of spaced parallel brackets at the top of said member, a pair of vertically opposed rollers disposed between said brackets, drive means for the lower one of said rollers including an electric motor mounted within the interior of said member, the upper one of said rollers being supported on said brackets for movement toward and away from said lower roller and normally engaging said lower roller to define a drive couple therebetween, a pair of note receiving means adjacent the lower end of said member to opposite sides of said rollers, said note receiving means including side walls aligned generally with said brackets, one of said note receiving means being adapted for reception of a stack of note panels, said side Walls thereof retaining said panels in a stack and preventing disruption thereof, said rollers being adapted to receive therebetween note panels from said one means, said brackets guiding the panels with respect to said member and said rollers to prevent disassociation of the panels from the machine, said rollers, when said lower roller is rotated by said motor, moving the note panels out of said one means to the top of said member and then into the other of said means, said member displaying the note panels in an upright viewing position between said one means and said rollers, and switch means electrically associated with said motor and disposed to the exterior of said member for controlling operation of said motor, said switch means including a foot operated start-stop switch disposed remotely of said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,227,436 Hendrix May 22, 1917 1,439,250 MacDowell Dec. 19, 1922 1,478,344 MacDowell Dec. 18, 1923 1,568,553 Grabler Jan. 5, 1926 1,931,767 Malcolm Oct. 24, 1933 2,048,259 Greene et al July 21, 1936 2,216,334 Akin Oct. 1, 1940 

